ABOUT POLAND

Education System of Poland

If you want to study a degree in Poland, it will generally take between three to five years to complete and many degrees are taught in English.

Fees

Tuition fees in Poland are cheaper than many other European countries. Fees vary wildly depending on the institution, type of course and mode of study you choose. As a guide, expect to pay between £1,300-£2,500 a year for most courses, but some can range up to £10,000 plus.

Immigration and visas

International students from the EU can study a degree in Poland without issue providing they fulfil the following:

They have a valid passport
They are studying for more than three months at the institution
They have sufficient income to support themselves during their studies
Have comprehensive health insurance

However, EU students who are living in Poland for more than three months will need to register for a residency permit which is valid for up to two years.

In most cases, non-EU students will have to get a study visa in order to come and study in Poland. Your chosen university should be able to help, but you will need to speak to the Polish embassy in your home country.

Accommodation and living costs

International students coming to live and study a degree in Poland can choose from three different types of accommodation:

University accommodation

– such as halls of residence or dormitories

Private accommodation

– House and flat rentals

Shared accommodation

– Renting rooms in a shared house or flat

Living in university accommodation is often the preferred option for most international students, as you’ll have somewhere to stay straight on arrival and often not have to worry about bills. It’s also a great way to meet other students and get support.

Living costs/rent:

Poland is a relatively cheap country to live if you are used to the costs of countries such as the USA or UK. However, it is one of the more expensive eastern European countries in which to study. Average rent per month is as follows:

1 bed city centre apartment – 1,500 zl
1 bed outside city centre apartment – 1,200 zl
3 bed city centre apartment – 2,600 zl
3 bed outside city centre apartment – 2,000 zl

How safe is Poland?

Poland is a relatively safe country to be an international student in compared with other EU states. Violent crime in Poland is rare and is getting rarer – Poland has been singled out as one of the European countries where crime has fallen the most since 2006.

Students should always take care to protect their own personal safety in order to avoid becoming victims of crime. They can do this by:

• Avoiding carrying around large amounts of money
• Staying in groups, especially at night, and never walking alone
• Not making valuables obvious
• Always having a route home planned and never getting into unlicensed taxis
• Being wary of strangers
• Being careful of traffic

Staying in touch

Staying in touch when your child is studying on the other side of the world might seem daunting – but there are ways you can talk regularly that don’t have to involve long distance phone calls and a nasty bill at the end of the month. Here are a few tips:

Skype

– the free video calling service can be downloaded within seconds, and will allow you to talk face to face anywhere you have an internet connection

Blogging

– maybe encourage your child to keep a blog of their adventures overseas, so that other families members (such as grandparents) can keep up to date

Local sim cards

– it is also a good idea for your child to buy a phone with a local pay as you go sim card when they arrive so that they can text and call home without running up a bill

What to do next

Thinking of studying abroad but not sure about where? Check our country guides. Alternatively, if you would like more information about studying in Poland, you can sign up for our Free Application Service and we’ll get back in touch with you promptly.